Staying in the EU customs union after Brexit would be disastrous for Britain | Henry Newman

Labour appears to be coming round to the idea of trying to maintain the status quo in our trading relationship with Europe. That would be a mistake

In less than 15 months the UK will be a third country, a non-EU member. A debate is currently raging about what customs relationship the UK should have with the EU after Brexit. The government's view is we should leave the EU's customs union, allowing the UK to sign new trade deals. Blairite figures and Corbyn critics, including Chuka Umunna, are keen to keep things after Brexit as similar as possible to before. They have already called for the UK to stay in the customs union (and the single market). A story in yesterday's Times suggested that Labour was likely to switch its position "by spring" to back staying in a modified version of the European customs union.

Related: Labour must say it: Britain should stay in the single market after Brexit | Chuka Umunna

Related: David Davis's petulant leaked letter is the latest slice of Brexit cakeism | Jonathan Lis

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